Fluid lift pump



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 20, 1942. w. L CHURCH FLUID LIFT PUMP Filed Oct. 18, 1940 sa az 3a 9 MUEE. CHURCH Oct. 20, 1942. w.' L CHURCH 2,299,304

FLUID LIFT PUMP Filed Oct. 18, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "'8 [Maffe LCHu/aoH Patented Oct. 20, 1942 2,299,304 FLUID LIFT PUMP Walter L. Church, Houston, Tex. l

Application October 18, 1940, Serial No. 361,731 (ci. s- 231) 3 Claims.

This invention relatesto a uid lift pump.

The invention embodies certain improvements over that type of uid lift pump disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,152,873 issued to this applicant on April 4, 1939.

` It ls an object of the present invention to provide a pump of the character described adapted to utilize an operating uid under pressure for pumping liquid from a well. The construction of the pump is such that the well liquid may be pumped from any selected level at the will of the operator and also embodies a valve controlled collecting chamber which may be used in wells of low bottom hole pressure and where the rate of liquid iniiow into the well is slow.

In wells of low bottom hole pressure the pressure of the operating fluid required to lift the liquid to the ground surface is much greater than the well pressure and unless the liquid to be discharged from the well by the operating fluid is trapped in a closed chamber it would be forced back into the formation by the operating fluid and no recovery of the well liquid would be eifected. Consequently, the present invention embodies an entrapping chamber for the well liquid and a control valve is employed for controlling the application of the operating fluid to the entrapped liquid to expel it from the well, said valve being intermittently operable to apply the operating Huid at such intervals and for such length of time as the inflow of liquid into the well may require.

Any selected type of intermittently operable control valve may be employed, one form of such valve being disclosed in my United States Patent No. 1,974,260 issuedSeptember 14, 1934.

With the above and other objects in view the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation and arrangement of parts, an example ofwhich is given in this specication and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig/ure 1 shows a side elevation, partly in section, showing the upper end of the pump.

Figure 2 shows a sideelevation, partly in section, of an intermediate section thereof.

Figure 3 shows a side view, partly in section, of the lower end thereof.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectionalyiew taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional Viewl taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 3, and

Figure 7 shows a side elevation, partly in section, of the complete equipment as installed.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate the same parts in each of the gures, the numeral I-designates a well casing to the upper end of which the conventional casing head 2 ls secured and which is equipped with the lateral, valve controlled flow line 3. Mounted on Vthe casing head there is a slip adapter 4 having the downwardly tapering, inside slip seat 5, said adapter, in the present instance being clamped on the casing head vby the clamp flange 6.

There is a well tubing 1 which is suspended inthe well by means of the lower slipsv 8. 'Ihese slips are mounted on the seat 5 and engage and suspend said tubing 1. Secured to the upper end of the tubing above the slips there is a T-connection 9 to the upper end of which the nipple I0 is attached and which forms also a connection for the valve controlled input line II through which the operating huid may be introduced-into the tubing. This input line II is controlled by a valve I2 which, in turn, is intermittlngly opened and closed by a control assembly, or intermitter, I3 of any conventional construction and now in common use. `Said control assembly may be regulated to soi control the valve I2 that it will open at s elected intervals and remain open for the required period of time. The operating fluid under pressure will thus be applied in accordance with the rate of inflow of liquid into the well.

The tubing 1 is provided with a surrounding seal I4 located within the casing head 2 beneath the slip adapter 4 and. which forms a fluid tight seal. between the tubing 1 and the casing head. -Attached to the nipple I0 there is a tubing head I5 having an linside seat I6 on which the annular sealing ring I1 is seated.

Extended into the 'well through the sealing ring I1 there is the eduction tube I8. The upper end of the tubing head I5 has an external annular flange I9 andA screwed into said head into abutting relation with the sealing ring I1 is a gland 20. vThe upper end of the gland is outwardly ared forming an inside slip seat 2|' in which the slips 22 are located for engaging with and supporting the eduction tube I8. Threaded onto the gland and in abutting relation with the upper'end of the tubing head I5 there is a lock nut 23 which may be secured in place by means of bolts- 24.

Above the tubing head there is a flanged nut 25 having internal coarse threads and having an external annularflange 28. The nanges I8,

28 are secured in spaced relation by means of the` slips 34 which are engageable with and assist in the supporting of, the eduction tube I8.' The operating fluid, such as compressed air,

suitable source of pressure down into the well, at the requireddntervals through the tubing 1 and the well liquld'willbe forced out of the well through the eduction tube I8. l'I'he lower end of the eduction tube I8 is forme -of separate sections such as I8a between w ich the stage valvesshown more clearly in Figures 2, 4, and 5, are located. Each stage valve comprises a couphng as 35, connected tothe section of the eduction tube above and its lower end is reduced forming a pin 35a and is outwardly threaded v and screwed into the upper end of the tubular valve casing 38. 'Ihis valve casingy is inwardly thickened at its lower end forming an inside,-

annular valve seat 31.

A There is a tubular sleeve valve 38 fitted through, and extendedbeneath, the valve casing 36, and whose lower end is threaded for connection to the section of the eduction tube beneath.

. l' or vgas under compression may be forced from a.

lby the downwardly opening back pressure valve 43. The lower end of the eduction tube is formed with a tubular, plunger-like anchor 58 which is surrounded by a series of annular,v packing rings 5I which are secured on the anchor and which form a seal between the anchor and the walls of the cylinder 41. anchor 88 and within the eduction tube there is the upwardly opening check valve 52.

Anchored to the lower end of the coupling 48 and extending downwardly into the collection chamber 48 there is a section of now pipe 83 whose lower end is open and terminates above the valve assembly 44. The upper end of the pipe 53 has a relief port 54 and the tubing 1 is provided with a corresponding relief port 55. In use the `equipment may beassembled as illustrated and let down into the well the required distance with the tubing 1 suspendedA from the slips 8 and with the eduction tubc I8 suspended from the slips 22, 34. -Ordlnarily the valve 3a This sleeve valve is outwardly thickened at its upper end forming an external, annular seat 38 adapted to it the seat 31 and these seats areA ground lsmooth to form a close tting seal.

The adjacent ends of the pin 35a and the valve as have the interfitting clutch Jaws 4o, 4| which permit a limited longitudinal movement of the valvel relative to the pin but prevent their independent relative rotation as more clearly shpwn in Figure 2. y

'Ihe valve 38 has the external grooves 42 extendingfrom the upper end thereof downwardly -beneath the valve casing 38. 'I'he operating fluid may ow downwardly through the tubing 1 operating against the well liquid in said tubing and forcing the same through the grooves 42 of the stage valve which may be open and into thev eduction tube and upwardly to the ground surface. Any particular stage valve will be open when the valve 38 is in its upper position with the Iseat 39 lifted off` of the seat 31 and will be closed when said seats are in contact. The clutch jaws 48, 4I will contact with each other,

upon downward movement of the valve casing.

38, relative to the valve 38 to limit said relative vof the flow line'3 will be open so that the' interior of the casing I will be subjected to atmospheric pressure. Whenso assembled the anchor 58 at the lower end of the eduction tube will be located within the cylirxler 41'. The tubing 'should be lowered to a point where its lower end will be submerged beneath the normal level of the liquid in the well and the eduction tube should be adjusted downwardly until the stage 'valves in it will open. It is contemplated that some, or al1 of the stage 'valves will be submerged in the liquid to be pumped when located in their final position in the well. The operating fluid may then be forced under pressure down throughl the tubing 1 operatingagainst the liquid in said tubing and forcing it through the grooves 42 of the upper stage valve which is open and on up through the eduction tube I8 from the well. Upon upward movement of the column of liquid the sleeve 28 may be turned to elevate it through the nut 25 and this will elevate the eduction Atube I8 closing the upper stage valve so that the pressure of the operating iluid against the liquid downward movement pf the casing and to prevent the lower end of the casing 38 from landing on the coupling of the eduction tube beneath so that the valve will not be completely closed by such downward movement. The lower end of the tubing 1 is provided with a tubular guide plug 43 on which is mounted an upwardly opening back pressure valve assembly 44. The lower section of the tubing forms; a collection chamber 45 and said lower section of the tubing is connected to the string f tubing above by means of a special type of coupling 48 containing the cylinder 41 and having a plurality of' ducts as 48 leading from the tubing above said 'cylinder into the collection chamber 45, said ducts being controlled in the tubing 1 will force the liquid `through the stage valve that has just opened into the eduction tube and on upwardly,v toward theground surface and said stage valves may be opened vfrom above downwardly until the level is reached at which it is desired to permanently operate. The point from which the liquid is to be elevated, can, of course, be changed as desired-in accordance with the level of the liquid in the well. The eduction tube I8 can be readily elevated and lowered to control the operation of the valves and to readily select the point of elevatlon from which it is desired to pump the liquid. If it be desired to lower the eduction tube I 8, the slips 22 may be removed and the sleeve 28 screwed downwardly through the nut 25. On the other hand if it be desired to elevate the eduction tube I8 the sleeve 28. may beV screwed upwardly by means of the nut 25. After the sleeve 28 has reached the limit` of its upward movement if it be desired to elevate the eduction tube 25 further, said tube may be held by the slips 22 and the sleeie 28 screwed downwardly as far as desired and upon the next succeeding upward movement will engage and again vthe opening and' closing of the stage valves incorprated therein.

However, the stage valves will ordinarily be At the upper end of the l valves in said tube.

flowing into the well 'will eventually lift the valveused only in case of a strong inflow of liquid into the well sufficient to maintain at least some of the stage valves submerged in said liquid; or, in some. instances when the pump has been temporarily idle the well liquid has been allowed to rise in the tubing 1.

If the well liquid flows into the well very slowly and the bottom hole pressure is weak the eduction tube may be adjusted upwardly as hereinabove described so as to close all of the stage The well liquid vgradually 44 and enter the collection chamber 45 and fill said chamber as well as the pipe section 53 therein. The ports`54 and 55 have been provided to allow the escape of air or gas from the collection chamber so as to permit the same to readily fill. When the chamber has filled the operating fluid under pressure will then pass on down through the tubing 1 and through the ducts 48 past the back pressure valves 49 and will operatefagainst the collected liquid in the chamber 45 forcing the,

same up through the pipe 53 and the anchor 50 past the back pressure valve 52 and on up through the eduction tube. The intermitter I3, of course,

' should be so set that the operating uid will be cut off at or about the time the chamberl 45 has been emptied and will be again applied when the chamber has filled.

It is thus obvious that the oil or other liquid flowing into the well under low bottom hole pressure will not be forced back into the formation by the pressure of the operating fluid. It is further obvious that the operating fluid will be conserved and utilized solely for the purpose of forcing the liquid from the chamber 45 outwardly through the eduction tube.

The drawings and description are illustrative merely, while the broad principle of the inven-v tion will be defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A fiuid lift pump for wells comprising a pipe having an entrapping chamber at its lower end and having a restricted passageway leading from within the pipe into the chamber, a valve controlling the passageway and arranged to be opened by the pressure of an operating fluid in the pipe, means normally holding the valve closed to prevent the flow of fluid from the chamber into the pipe, said chamber having an inlet` a valve controlling the inlet to allow the inlet of well liquid into the chamber but to prevent the outflow of liquid from the chamber into the well, an eduction tube through which the well liquid is conducted to the ground surface, a flow pipe anchored to the cylinder and forming, in effect, an extension of the eduction tube and whose lower end extends into the chamber, said chamber and said ow pipe having relief ports at the upper end of the chamber and a back pressure valve in the eduction tube arranged to allow the advance of liquid from the chamber,` through the tube,

but to prevent the back flow of such liquid.

2. A uid lift pump for wells comprising an outer pipe having an entrapping chamber at its lower end provided with a relief port, said .outer pipe also having a cylinder adjacent the upper end of the chamber provided with a duct leading from said chamber upwardly through the cylinder wall, an inner pipe within the outer pipe whose lower end extends into and forms' a seal with the walls of the cylinder, a downwardly opening back pressure valve controlling said duct and arranged to be opened by the pressure of an operating uid in the outer pipe, means normally holding said galve closed to prevent the flow of fluid from th chamber into the outer pipe, said chamber having an inlet, a valve controlling the inlet to allow the inflow of wellliquid into the chamber but to prevent the back flow of liquid from the chamber into the well, a flow pipe anchored to the lower end of the cylinder and extending downwardly into said chamber` and having a` relief port, said inner pipe and flow pipe forming an eduction tube through which the well liquid is conducted'to the ground surface anda back pressure valve in the eduction tube arranged to allow the advance of liquid from the chamber upwardly through said tube but to prevent the back ow of said liquid.

3. A fluid lift pump for wells comprising an outerpipe having an entrapping chamber at its lower end and having a cylinder adjacent the upper end 'of the chamber provided -with a duct leading from said chamber upwardly through the cylinder wall, an inner pipe within the outer pipe whose lower end extends into and formsa seal with the walls of the cylinder, a downwardly opening back pressure valve controlling said duct and arranged to be opened by the pressure of an operating fluid in the outer pipe, means normally holding said valve closed to prevent the flow of fluid from the chamber into the outer pipe, said chamber having an inlet, a valve controlling the inlet to allow the inflow of well liquid into the chamber but to prevent the back flow of liquid from the chamber into the well, a flow pipe anchored to the lower end of the cylinder and extending downwardly into said chamber, said inner pipe and flow pipe forming an eduction tube through which the well liquid is conducted to the ground surface, a back pressure valve in the eduction tube arranged to allow the advance of liquid from the chamber upwardly through said tube. but to prevent the back flow of said liquid, said chamber and ow pipe having relief ports adjacent their upper ends and said inner pipe having stage valves spaced apart along said pipe arranged to be opened to allow fluid to be forced by the operating fluid from the outer pipe into the inner pipe and ,to be closed to cause the uid iobflow from said chamber through the eduction WALTER L. CHURCH. 

